How do you open lionel transformer cw-80?

SOURCE: My new Lionel CW-80 trans former stopped working

I have had the same problem with my polar express, which i just bought recently. Having to send it to the USA from the UK would be very expensive so i decided to open it up myself. The tamper proof screws were a bit of a problem getting into it. I ground down an old screw driver into the triangle shape to undo them. I then replaced them with self taping srews the same size.
The Problem I found was simple, there is an internal (250V, 8Amp) fuse soldered onto the red wire on the secondary winding of the transformer. The red wire going from the transformer to the PCB, the fuse has black heatshrink over it.
There is no room inside the housing of the controller to fit a fuse holder. I fitted a box on the side of it with a panel mount fuse holder. drilled a hole through the housing, fitted longer red wires, so they could go through to the terminations on the back of the fuse holder.
At least now I can change it simply if it blows again.

hope this is of help to you.

Posted on Dec 08, 2008

SOURCE: lionel CW - 80 transformer

Check out this link, I think it will help.

http://www.lionel.com/media/servicedocuments/71-4198-251.pdf

Posted on Jan 20, 2009

SOURCE: Can I use the cw-80 transformer on any Lionel

You should be able to. The Lionel transformers all put out AC power, not DC and many Marx and American Flyer transformers will work too. The real question is total amount of power being drawn and whether or not you have the wattage to match your engine and accessories. With the CW-80 though, it should put out plenty. I run my pre-war 1666E engine pulling a full compliment of metal cars with no problems using a CW-80.

Posted on Feb 10, 2011